WIAC Spotlight - Bobby Kachel
Each week during the 2013-14 academic year, the WIAC will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its nine institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday, and individuals are selected by the institution.
Name: Bobby Kachel
Hometown (High School): La Crosse (Aquinas High School)
Year: Senior
Sport: Baseball
Major: Criminal Justice
Why did you choose to be a Division III student-athlete?
I chose to be a Division III student-athlete because it was the perfect combination to be able to continue my baseball career for four more years while also getting a quality education.
What do you like most about competing in the WIAC?
It's the toughest and most competitive baseball conference in the nation.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete?
The greatest lessons I've learned would be responsibility and time management. You figure out pretty quickly your freshman year how to manage time between practice, school and social life if you want to maintain good grades. By senior year, you are in some sort of routine every day.
Who has been the most influential person in your athletic career?
Former coaches, including my dad, and teammates have been the most influential figures. My parents have also made great sacrifices to travel the country to watch me play throughout my career.
If you have been involved in community service projects, which project has been the most rewarding and why?
The most recent would be laying down all new sod in the infield for Oshkosh West and Oshkosh North. It took about a week and a lot of sweat for each, but seeing the end results made everything totally worth it. I also enjoyed going to the Boys & Girls Club to hang out with the kids. Words can't explain seeing the smiles on their faces and their eyes light up when the team walked in.
If you could meet any athlete, who would it be and what one question would you ask them?
I would like to meet Miguel Cabrera and ask him what his favorite hitting drills are, because he's such a phenomenal hitter. I would also love to ask him what he plans on buying with his new $292 million contract.
What is your greatest sports moment?
Being named an All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association last season.
What is your favorite TV show?
"Cops."
What are your favorite foods?
Venison, red potatoes and my mother's BBQ.
If you could live any place in the world, where would it be?
As weird as it sounds, Wisconsin is where I want to live. I would just like to have a large log house with tons of land for hunting, fishing and other recreational uses.
What does your "bucket list" include?
Win a conference and national championship
Hunt all different kinds of animals
Be co-pilot in a Navy fighter jet
Spend a week in Nashville and Vegas with friends where money is not a factor
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
It's a toss-up between teleportation and reading minds.
How would your teammates describe you?
Responsible, hard-working, honest. And the joke on the team is "the grandpa."
Do you have any pregame rituals? If so, what are they?
On game day, my breakfast is a southern tradition sandwich from Big Apple Bagels and three mini muffins. Then I also have a large coffee about 20 minutes prior to competition.
What is your dream job?
My dream job would be working for the U.S. Marshals Service or Drug Enforcement Administration.
Previous WIAC Spotlights
Jordyn Bratel (Volleyball)
Jeremy Brandt (Track & Field)
Christy Cazzola (Track & Field)
Hannah Forcey (Swimming)
Nazar Kulchytskyy (Wrestling)
Cole Myhra (Football)
Sarah Stecker (Basketball)